The RCA_airnergy is a USB-connected device that converts Wi-Fi antenna signals into usable power for your gadgets. The device is completely self-sustaining — it automatically charges whenever a Wi-Fi signal is close by and stores the power in a lithium-ion battery. While it may not be practical for emergency charging in the woods, the Airnergy could be invaluable in on-the-go situations when your cell phone’s power is petering out.

As a general rule, cell phone batteries are costly, resource-intensive, and difficult to dispose of properly. So why not ditch them and run our cell phones on soda? That’s the thinking behind designer Daizi Zheng’s concept phone for Nokia. Instead of running on traditional batteries, the concept phone uses a bio battery that generates electricity from carbohydrates. Fuel cells powered by sugar are nothing new — they’ve been in use for years — but Zheng’s point seems to be that we shouldn’t overlook innovative uses for the products we consume everyday. And of course, maybe Coke does belong in a battery more than it belongs in our bodies. It doesn’t hurt that the bio battery can operate for three to four times longer than a lithium-ion battery on a single charge, either.

This revolving door is equipped with a special generator that is driven by the human energy applied to the door whilst the generator controls the rotating speed of the door and makes it safer. The ceiling of the revolving door is made of safety class and gives a clear view of the technology. A set of super capacitors stores the generated energy as a buffer and provides a consistent supply for the low energy LED lights in the ceiling.

this experimental site-specific installation illustrates alternative, sustainable ways of harnessing energy that will explore the power of the wind in the city, visualising it as an ephemeral cloud of light. the installation is custom built, using 500 mini wind turbines to generate power, which illuminates hundreds of mounted leds, creating firefly-like fields of light, with wind visually interpreted as electronic patterns across the installation. wind around the southbank generates the power, creating a unique and thought-provoking light art piece that will delight all ages.

This Solar Spark Lighter is said to be the only pocket-sized solar lighter. It is actually a stainless steel parabolic mirror, which is designed to focus the sun’s energy to a precise focal point. Recommended for backpacking, boating, hiking and as a survival tool. It’s priced at $9.95 and is available from Sundance Solar.

The Helios Concept is a design study of a solar energy-powered off-road sporty vehicle. The body integrates a system of large photovoltaic panels that increases the energy charging capacity. It was designed by Kim Gu-Han from Universität Duisburg-Essen – Germany. The Helios is an electric off-road vehicle use powered by solar energy. To increase the surface area of the photovoltaic panels, when not in motion the upper surface of the car transform into a large “fan” with four wings to store more energy or to serve as an energy station. This transformable design was inspired by natural evolution – some animals have developed a stretchable skin to absorb more sunlight.

By simply wrapping a flexible solar panel around standard rechargeable batteries (cheap on ebay) you can create your own solar powered batteries (literally). Simply set them by a window and you’re now creating DIY Green energy to power your electronics. The efficiency would not be that great of course, but having a bunch of batteries lying in the sun for some days could not hurt anyone.